Acta Medica Philippina最新文献

Background and objective: The WHO advises the detection of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in household contacts (HHCs). This activity allows for testing family members of TB patients for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and detecting factors associated with LTBI. The purpose of this study is to identify LTBI and its associated factors among HHCs of TB patients.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Medan, Indonesia. Subjects were family members living in the same household as pulmonary drug-sensitive tuberculosis (DS-TB) patients and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection involved interviews, chest X-rays, blood collection for Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) analysis, and, if necessary, the Xpert MTB/RIF test to examine sputum. Subjects were classified as having LTBI if the IGRA test was positive, the chest X-ray results were normal or did not suggest TB, and there were no clinical symptoms indicative of tuberculosis.

Results: A total of 90 HHCs of TB patients were included; 30 subjects (29.41%) had LTBI, and 60 subjects (58.82%) did not have LTBI. The majority of subjects were female (76.6%), with a mean ± SD age and body mass index (BMI) of 41.17 ± 15.33 years and 24.65 ± 4.72, respectively. Variables such as gender, age, educational level, employment type, comorbidities, BMI, smoking, alcohol intake, and length of contact were not significantly associated with LTBI (p>0.05).

Conclusion: To achieve TB eradication, it is crucial to investigate household contacts of pulmonary TB patients. Individuals with LTBI can benefit from education and management of preventive TB treatment.

Background: First-aid is the effort to help and temporarily care for accident victims before receiving further assistance. Providing quick and appropriate aid to victims prevent their condition from worsening.

Objectives: This study aims to explore the knowledge and experiences of the heads of neighborhood units (RWs) of first-aid in accidents in Cempaka Putih Tengah Subdistrict Jakarta, Indonesia.

Methods: This is a qualitative research with a phenomenological design that aims to explore the community's knowledge of first-aid in greater depth. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews and observations. The study had six participants which were selected using purposive sampling technique. All participants are male, based on the understanding that men often serve as heads of households and play a crucial role within their families or communities; all participated in the Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The data analysis was conducted using categorization and thematic analysis, and was manually analyzed using the Collaizi method.

Results: This study identified three main themes regarding the public's knowledge and experience in providing first-aid during accidents: 1) limited public knowledge of effective first-aid actions in accident situations; 2) lack of practical experience in providing first-aid, leading to panic and confusion; and 3) limited understanding of accident prevention, which increases the risk of injury in the surrounding environment.

Conclusion: The limited knowledge and practical experience among the public, despite some having attended first-aid training, leads to unpreparedness and panic when faced with accidents. Additionally, the limited understanding of accident prevention contributes to an increased risk of injury in the surrounding environment. Therefore, it is crucial to provide more comprehensive training, including practical simulations, to improve the public's knowledge and skills in managing and preventing accidents.

Background and objectives: Hepatobiliarypancreatic tuberculosis (HBPTB) is a less common form of tuberculosis that often presents as malignancy or lithiasis. Advances in diagnostics and minimally invasive procedures have led to the detection of more patients with milder forms of TB requiring surgical management. Due to the low incidence rates and lack of standardized approaches, additional studies are needed to improve patient outcomes. This study examined the risk factors, diagnostic methods, and treatments for HBPTB patients at the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2021.

Methods: This retrospective descriptive study utilized our institutional database to identify patients who underwent a surgical procedure for HBPTB and their associated risk factors. Inclusion criteria required biopsy or microbiologic proof of tuberculous involvement of the biliary tract or nearby structures.

Results: Among a total of 45 patients, the most common admitting diagnosis were HBP tuberculosis (37.8%) and malignancy (35.6%). 47.6% of patients had a previous or concurrent TB exposure. Sixty percent had subclinical malnutrition indicated by normal weight and low albumin. The liver (37.8%) and the bile ducts (33.3%) were the most common organs involved. The most common surgical procedures done were ultrasound-guided liver biopsy, biliary enteric anastomosis, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with or without stenting (ERCP).

Conclusions: This study provides additional data for clinicians to tailor diagnostic and treatment plans accordingly. Striking a balance between surgical procedures and appropriate anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) is essential for successful treatment. Local data can be useful to help identify tuberculosis patterns unique to Filipinos and highlight socio-economic factors contributing to this rare presentation of TB.

Background: Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn, synonym Curcuma domestica Val.) is a plant from Southeast Asia which has been consumed as a complement to cooking spices, herbal medicine, or as a medicine to maintain health and beauty such as skin and facial care.

Objective: The study aimed to determine the effect of turmeric extract on the testicular weight of rats.

Methods: This is an experimental research. After going through an adaptation period of two weeks, the animals were given turmeric extract orally for 30 days. The testicles were weighed, and sperm was taken from the vas deferens of male rats.

Results: Normality test (Kolmogorov-Sminorv) and homogeneity test (Homogeneity of Variances) were done. A significance value of P>0.05 was obtained, indicating that the data on the proportion of testicular weights at all test doses compared to the control were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The administration of 96% ethanol turmeric extract at a dose of 25 mg/KgBW, 50 mg/KgBW, and 100 mg/KgBW for 30 days did not affect the weight of rat testicles. It is necessary to isolate compounds in the 96% ethanol extract of turmeric to determine its antifertility effect.

Background: Social determinants of health are wider set of forces and systems that greatly influence an individual's health outcomes.

Objective: This study aims to determine the socio-economic indicators that influence certain health indicators focusing on maternal and children under-5 health.

Methods: Selected data from from the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, and International Labor Organization (ILO) were primarily used to model health outcomes such as mortality rates, disability-adjusted life years, and deaths and injuries due to occupational injuries. A total of 194 countries were considered as respondents in this study. Linear hierarchical multiple regression was used to determine the relationship of social determinants of health on life expectancy at birth, maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births), under-5 years mortality ratio, prevalence of overweight in children under-5 years, and death rate (per 100,000 population).

Results: Data from 194 countries shows that the global average life expectancy is 55.7 years. The global average maternal mortality ratio is 1119.509 per 100,000 live births, and maternal mortality is significantly increased by factors such as increase in total vulnerable employment, total unemployment, and CPIA gender equality rating. Focusing on children's health outcomes, the global average under-5 mortality rate was 102.247 per 100,000 live births. Mortality rate for children under-5 increases with total vulnerable employment and total unemployment, while adult literacy rate, 1 medical doctor per 10,000 population, and food safety level decreases under-5 mortality rates. The global overweight prevalence in children under-5 is 10.389%. The increase in average monthly earnings of employees working in service and sales increases its prevalence. For death rate, the global average is 682.818 per 100,000 population. This is further positively affected by an increase in rural population and total unemployment. On the other hand, adult literacy rate decreases death rate.

Conclusion: Socio-economic factors such as income, education, employment, and government support influence maternal and children under-5 health indicators. Thus, programs, projects, and activities that aim to positively affect the health of the public should be holistic and should also focus on positively altering the health behavior of the public.

Background: The Philippines has a wide variety of plant species with potential to produce allergenic pollen grains. Most of the study subjects which are residents in Manila tested positive to Fabaceae and Amaranthaceae. Weeds, especially the Amaranthaceae and Fabaceae families, are relevant triggers of allergy as they are highly adaptive and can grow despite adverse weather conditions. However, only a few allergens have been identified among these families and listed in the International Union of Immunological Societies allergen nomenclature database. Currently, local pollen grains are being processed at the Medical Research Laboratory of our institution to produce crude pollen extracts for use in specific diagnostic skin tests and in subcutaneous immunotherapy of patients with respiratory allergies all over the country. However, these extracts have not been characterized and data of cross-reactivity is limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the IgE binding activity of allergen extracts from Philippine weeds and trees, and determine their cross-reactive components.

Methods: Pollen extracts from Amaranthus spinosus (pigweed), Mimosa pudica (makahiya), Tridax procumbens (wild daisy), Albizia saman (acacia), Leucaena leucocephala (ipil-ipil), Mangifera indica (mango), and Cocos nucifera (coconut) were extracted and analyzed for cross-reactivity using ELISA and Western blot.

Results: Cross-reaction was observed between ipil-ipil and coconut, and between makahiya and wild daisy. IgE bound to protein components at ~20, 18, and 15 kDa of the weeds, while for the trees, IgE bound to protein components at ~35 and ~15 kDa which may be responsible for the cross-inhibitions observed.

Conclusion: Data may contribute to the development of immunotherapeutic strategies and diagnostic applications for respiratory allergies, comprising the production of standardized panel of allergens thus eliminating unwanted side effects and providing patients with safer diagnosis and therapy.

Introduction: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program spans four years and includes general education and professional courses. Student nurses attend lecture hours, clinical duties, and related learning experiences that might be affecting their time in attending to a healthy lifestyle. Health-promoting lifestyle is a multi-dimensional pattern of activities and perceptions that begins with self-motivation and assists in promoting self-improvement and health. The domains of health-promoting lifestyle are essential factors to further improve their way of dealing with daily challenges. Multiple factors can also influence student nurses' lifestyles, including their separation from family, busy schedules, and dietary choices. A study highlights various factors affecting student nurses' lifestyles, underscoring the need for tailored health promotion strategies and curriculum enhancements. Research into these domains can better equip future healthcare leaders. Gender, year level, and living arrangements influence student nurses' lifestyles, prompting researchers to investigate the extent of health-promoting lifestyles among them and differences based on these factors. By addressing these domains and conducting further research, nursing education and practice can better prepare future healthcare leaders to promote health and lifestyle effectively within their communities.

Objectives: To determine the extent of health-promoting lifestyle among student nurses and identify the significant differences according to gender, year level, and living arrangement.

Methods: A quantitative, descriptive research design was used with 360 respondents, employing Yamane's formula and quota sampling. The study adopted the Health-Promoting Lifestyle II questionnaire with a validity of 0.962.

Results: Student nurses often engage in health-promoting behaviors (x=2.56). Male student nurses reported higher scores in health responsibility, physical activity, spiritual growth, and stress management compared to female students (p=0.40). Level IV students engaged in health-promoting activities more frequently than Level I students (p=0.74). Living arrangements did not significantly impact health-promoting lifestyles (p=0.99).

Conclusion: No significant difference in health-promoting lifestyles among student nurses. Respondents demon-strated the least health-promoting lifestyle behaviors in the domains of health responsibility, nutrition, and physical activity. In contrast, spiritual growth, inter-personal relations, and stress management attained the highest mean scores.

A 61-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of non-painful left eye proptosis. Imaging studies showed a superotemporal mass in the left orbit with intracranial extension. Surgical excision of the orbitocranial mass was performed and histopathologic examination revealed metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma. She subsequently underwent total thyroidectomy. Orbital metastasis from thyroid carcinoma is rare and can be the initial manifestation of occult disease in 63% of cases.

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is a chronic bilateral, blinding, cicatrizing form of conjunctivitis with relapsing and remitting periods. It has strong evidence for an immune type II hypersensitivity that leads to subconjunctival fibrosis and extensive systemic bullae formation. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first reported case of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) assay-proven OCP in an elderly Filipino man. A 68-year-old male presented with bilateral corneal conjunctivalization, symblepharon, ectropion, conjunctival hyperemia testing positive with conjunctival biopsy for basement membrane antibodies with DIF for the left eye, while turning out negative for the right eye. He was managed as a case of OCP, both eyes, and was given topical steroids and antibiotics. Oral Dapsone was started by Dermatology and Rheumatology Services. OCP is a rare autoimmune and blinding disease. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are vital as ocular complications permanently affect the quality of life of patients as seen in our patient. DIF assay remains the gold-standard for diagnosis. Systemic immunosuppression is the mainstay of treatment. Adjunctive supportive topical medication may be given to alleviate ocular discomfort. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to provide holistic care to each patient.